Syrian army makes progress against Islamic State in Sweida offensiveAugust 7, 2018 - 16:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) kicked off their east Sweida offensive on Monday, August 7, after completing their field operations in southwest Syria, Al-Masdar News says. Backed by heavy airstrikes from the Russian Aerospace Forces the night before, the Syrian Arab Army and their allies began the day by liberating a large chunk of territory from the Islamic State forces. According to a military communique from the Sweida Governorate, the Syrian Arab Army and their allies managed to liberate several hilltops near the Dyatheh and and Kara’ areas, forcing the Islamic State militants to fall back further into the desert. Among the hilltops and points the Syrian Arab Army liberated from the Islamic State on Monday, were Tal Qasr, Ajeelat, and Dayatheh Water Wells. A field source told Al-Masdar News that the Syrian Arab Army and their allies suffered at least a half dozen casualties, with four fighters from the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) of Sweida suffering the highest death toll. The four members of the SSNP were killed when an Islamic State militants detonated his suicide vest near their front-lines on Monday. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |